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Journal of Pediatric Psychology 3(3) pp. 122-130, 1978
© 1978 Society of Pediatric Psychology

research-article

The Organization of Crying in the Neonate

Barry M. Lester

Children’s Hospital Medical Center Boston and Harvard Medical School

The general biobehavioral role of the infant cry and the diagnostic use of infant crying are reviewed. The results of two studies are presented, one illustrating neonatal cry patterns which are possible correlates of fetal malnutrition and one comparing the cries of high and low risk newborn infants. It is concluded that the infant cry may be a useful indicator of risk but has not been shown to be of specific diagnostic utility. A speculative proposal is made that the high-pitched, irritating cry of the infant at risk may have the biological function of eliciting special caregiving facilitating survival. The same irritating quality of the cry may also make these infants targets of abuse and neglect if the limits of caregiver control behavior are violated.


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